Part 3 in a 4-part series on the Vision-Alignment-Execution model of leadership.
“Vision without execution is hallucination. Execution without vision is a nightmare.” Japanese proverb
Congratulations! If you’ve read our last 2 blog posts you’ve already carefully crafted a vision that has inspired and unified your team. You’ve also aligned your team so they are engaged, empowered and ready to bring your vision across the finish line. Now what?
Now you are ready to move into the third stage of successful leadership: Execution. This is when you and your empowered team actively bring your shared vision to life.
In the Execution stage, successful leaders create momentum by combining a well-developed plan with drive, initiative and feedback. When done well, your team will feel challenged, energized and fulfilled…and will work as tirelessly as you to bring your shared vision to life.
It’s important to remember that as a successful leader, you are responsible for championing execution by remaining actively involved with your team throughout the entire stage. While you may not participate in day-to-day implementation of the plan, you are always responsible for creating strategy and for ensuring that your team has the resources it needs to be successful.
The Work of Leaders provides six “leadership best practices” that will serve as your Execution roadmap. Take a look at what follows and ask yourself, “Where do myleadership practices fall along each best-practice continuum? Where do I excel? What could I strengthen?” Attaining your big vision depends on it.
1. Being Driven
It all starts with you. You will set the tone for every person on your team. By creating a sense of momentum and purpose, you are creating a results-driven culture of success.
2. Initiating Action
“Good things come to those who wait, but the best things come to those who do.” Successful leaders promote this kind of doing environment so their team will always be on the lookout for fresh opportunities and new ways to contribute.
3. Providing a Plan:
“Within structure there is freedom.” Seems paradoxical but once your team understands boundaries and processes – and there is a plan in place – they will have much more freedom to move confidently within the structure. As a strong leader, you will provide all of this, as well as crystal clear expectations. They will love the autonomy the structure provides.
4. Analyzing In-Depth:
While it’s important to get the day-to-day work done, it is also essential to create time and space for digging deep and analyzing complex issues. You will get a better handle on all the moving parts, anticipate problems and make better decisions.
5. Addressing Problems:
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” Because your team wants to succeed, they will appreciate hearing what’s working well and what needs “recalibration.” Exceptional leaders also welcome “fierce conversations” as they know these are the ones that can be career- or life- changing – for either party.
6. Offering Praise:
“Reward what you want to see more of.” It is critical to celebrate what seems like small wins; with focus and persistence they will add-up to big wins. As your team successfully executes the vision, let them know you appreciate their hard work, creativity and loyalty – it will come back to you many times over.
Wondering how all three components of the Work of Leaders leadership model interact to deliver results? Part 4 of our series will discuss how you can put the Vision-Alignment-Execution model to work within your organization – at the macro level as well as at the micro level.
************************
Ready to be at the top of your leadership game? CEO Vision can help. We will work with you to uncover your natural leadership strengths and put them to work so you become the best leader you can be. For more information on how to get started, please take a look at our CEO Vision Quick Start program, or contact me for a 15-minute complimentary conversation to discuss your leadership goals.This entry was posted in Leadership and tagged CEO Vision, DiSC Work of Leaders, DiSC Work of Leaders leadership self assessment, Ellyn McKay, Leadership, Vision. Bookmark the permalink.